Typewriter table



June 25, 1940.

FIGURE II C. A. FORD TYPEWRITER TABLE Filed Jan. 17, 1939 FIGURE III INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented June 25, 1940 TYPEWRITER TABLE Charles A. Ford, Newark, N. J., assignor to Charles A. Ford 00., Inc.,

poration Newark, N. J., a cor- Application January 17, 1939, Serial No. 251,305

I Claims.

This invention relates to typewriter tables, more particularly to typewriter tables in the form of a cabinet which unfolds to disclose the typewriter conveniently position with adequate work- 5 ing space and with drawer space for supplies so located that there is no interference with convenient usage by the typist.

Heretofo-re, typewriter tables in common use have sometimes been constructed of metal framework and have not presented a pleasing appearance. The desk style typewriter table with the top that slides back out of sight and brings the type writer up into position has been large, and operates witlrthe use of mechanisms adapted to 3 raise the typing table to operating position. Such mechanisms sometimes require considerable force to operate and frequently get out of order.

Other typewriter tables have been so designed and constructed as to prevent the typist from approaching sufiiciently close topermit the operation of the typewriter from a convenient and restful position, thereby preventing efiicient and facile operation.

The object of this invention is to provide a typewriter table that may take the form of an object of furniture that will fit into the home or office and have a pleasing appearance.

A further object is to present a typewriter table that may be constructed in small or compact form, which when unfolded will provide adequate space for paraphernalia incidentally necessary as Well as places for keeping the same when it is not in use.

A further object is to present a typewriter table that will fold up into a small space.

A further object is to present a typewriter table that may be unfolded for use with a minimum of eifort and the least number of mechanical features, thus eliminating many possibilities of it 40 getting out of order.

A still further object is to provide a typewriter table that may be so constructed as to provide a table at the proper height for typing and also permit the typist to approach closely to the table so that the typewriter is within easy reach.

These objects and advantages as well as many other objects and advantages are attained through the device illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure I is a view of the typewriter desk with the top folded back and the leaves lowered.

Figure II is a view of the leaf, supporting member, and positioning mechanism. Figure III is a View of the recessed supporting 5 member and the positioning member.

Similar numerals refer to I similar parts throughout the several figures.

Referring now to the figures, the device consists of a table or cabinet I. Rising .vertically from the sides of the table are leaves 2. These leaves are connected to the table by hinges 3, and are capable of being lowered to a horizontal position as shown in Figure I. In the form of table orcabinet shown, the leaves 2 are not the full length .of the table. At the point where they end, a side wall 4 rises and a back wall 5 rises from the back of the table, These three walls have a top cover 6 and together serve to form a compartment suitable for containing small articles or if provided with a slanting partition l ideally suited for holding stationery. Attached to the top cover is the lid 8 for covering the table proper i. This-lid 8 is connected by hinges 9 to the top 5. Attached to the lid 8 is a front panel or closure I 0 similarly connected to the top by hinges H. In its preferred form which isillustrated, the table may be equipped with several drawers #9. It is preferred that these drawers l9 be of a depth only one-half that of the table so that they need not be kept flush with the front of the table as shown in Figure I but may be pushed back on theirsupports one-half the depth of the table, thereby permitting persons to sit with their knees partly under the table. Connected to the leaves are supporting members 12. When the leaves are vertical, the supporting members l2 fall into a position close to the side wall of the table I. The supporting members l2 have a recess It or wide groove to accommodate a positioning member M which is pivotally connected to the supporting member l2 by having its ends bent as at l5 perpendicular to its length and inserted into holes 56 in the recessed portion of the supporting member i2 as appears in Figure III. This elongated member M is connected with the side wall of the cabinet or table I by an elongated staple ll. The staple should be of such length as may be adequate to permit the elongated member M-to slide along it within certain limits and to pull it into proper position so that it rests on the brace or block l8 when the leaf 2 is lowered to the horizontal position. The supporting members l2 are connected to the leaves 2 by a hinge 20 as appears in Figure II.

The dotted portion of Figure II shows the leaf 2 5 and supporting member l2 in an intermediate position.

The operation and use of the invention is as follows: When closed it presents the appearance of a'table, or if with the drawers, a cabinet.

The front panel In is raised and folded back with the lid 8 in the position shown in Figure I. The side leaves 2, when in vertical position, have the supporting members [2 parallel to and touching the side walls of the table or cabinet. In this position the staple I'I fits into the recess l3 and is thereby concealed. When the leaves '2 are lowered, the supporting members are positioned by the staple H and the elongated member l4 so that they come to rest on the block or brace I8. This presents a support of great strength, hitherto not attainable in a device of this kind. The drawers l9 being only half the depth of the table are pushed back on their supports, leaving a space half the depth of the cabinet or table, at which the typist may sit with knees under the table. It is a matter of common knowledge that such a position is most convenient for typing.

It will thus be seen that the aforesaid objects and advantages are attained through the device illustrated. The inventor intends his specification to be purely illustrative as many changes may be made in the form of the invention illustrated without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a table, a body portion, a leaf pivotally connected thereto so that it may be raised from a horizontal to a vertical position, a supporting member pivotally connected to the leaf with a recess therein, a bracing member aflixed to the body portion for the supporting member to rest on when the leaf is in horizontal position, a positioning member pivotally connected with the supporting member in the recess therein, a staple member affixed to the body portion and connected with the positioning member and so arranged and constructed that when the leaf is in the vertical position, the supporting member is positioned against the body portion and the recess in the supporting member encloses and conceals the positioning and staple members, and when the leaf is lowered to the horizontal position, the positioning and staple members coact to position the supporting member on the bracing member.

2. In a table, a body portion, a leaf pivotally connected thereto so that it may be raised from a horizontal to a vertical position, a supporting member pivotally connected to the leaf with a recess therein, a bracing member affixed to the body portion for the supporting member to rest on when the leaf is in horizontal position, a positioning member pivotally connected with the supporting member in the recess therein, a staple member affixed to the body portion and connected with the positioning member.

3. In a table, a body portion, a leaf pivotally connected thereto, a recessed supporting member depending from the leaf, a bracing member for the supporting member affixed to the body portion, a positioning member pivotally connected with the supporting member in the recess therein, a staple member aihxed to the body portion and connected with the positioning member and so arranged and constructed that when the leaf is pivotally lowered from vertical to horizontal, the positioning and staple members co-act to position the supporting member on the bracing member, and when the leaf is raised from the horizontal to the vertical position, the recess in the supporting member conceals the staple and positioning members.

4. In a table, a body portion, a leaf pivotally connected thereto, a recessed supporting member depending from the leaf, a bracing member for the supporting member affixed to the body portion, a positioning member pivotally connected with the supporting member in the recess therein, a staple member affixed to the body portion and connected with the positioning member.

5. In a table, a body portion, a leaf pivotally connected thereto, a recessed supporting member pivotally connected with the leaf, bracing means for the supporting member ailixed to the body portion, automatic means so arranged and constructed that when the leaf is lowered from vertical to horizontal, the supporting member is positioned on the bracing member, and when the leaf is raised from the horizontal to the vertical position, the recessed supporting member covers and conceals the automatic means.

CHARLES A. FORD. 

